Letter: Parking prices too high

I’m writing to you to show you how disgusted and upset I am at your recent price hike at all the parking places in and around the Third Street Promenade (the ones I know of at least — no doubt the price hikes were across the parking lots).

As a council that prides itself on regulating rent control for housing, it seem you are greedy enough to increase parking by up to almost 50 percent.

Before Oct. 1, it was a flat rate of $9 for after 2 hours of free parking, now it is 25 percent less free time and $14 max per day. Why the major increase?

Everyone needs extra cash, what with gas prices going up to $4.45 in some areas, but we all have to manage our purse without inflicting unnecessary hardship because we (Santa Monica council) can increase them.

If I as a landlord raised my rent as you have for renting a parking space, you’d throw the book at me and tell me all sorts of laws preventing me from doing this, yet are you as a council not compassionate enough to see what you are doing is hurting normal, everyday people, and increasing it as you feel? Why the hypocrisy and double standard?

Parking is never truly free. When parking is offered below it’s value, it shifts the cost burdens elsewhere by raising the cost of doing business and trickling into higher rates on all goods and services. If drivers want to park, they can pay for their enormous plots of real estate to house their private property. Don’t make everyone pay for your privilege, including those who come downtown but without a car occupying valuable land.

To address parking capacity maxed out at certain locations. Two options exist, price to reflect demand or build a lot more, but redevelopment money from the state isn’t going to come pouring into the city any longer to blow on what ever we feel like building. If drivers want a place for their car, pay for it, put your money where you mouth is when you cry for more parking.

Parking is never truly free. When parking is offered below it’s value, it shifts the cost burdens elsewhere by raising the cost of doing business and trickling into higher rates on all goods and services. If drivers want to park, they can pay for their enormous plots of real estate to house their private property. Don’t make everyone pay for your privilege, including those who come downtown but without a car occupying valuable land.

To address parking capacity maxed out at certain locations. Two options exist, price to reflect demand or build a lot more, but redevelopment money from the state isn’t going to come pouring into the city any longer to blow on what ever we feel like building. If drivers want a place for their car, pay for it, put your money where you mouth is when you cry for more parking.

I think this is great- let me explain. If you’ll remember the free parking was good until 6 pm and then parking was a flat rate of $5. That never really works for our family- we work regular hours and if you need to run downtown to shop or eat or go to yoga- its $5 to park? nah- we would go somewhere else. Now, if we want to run downtown for a quick errand its free. Let the tourist pay for the parking! Brilliant move – Bravo!

“Why the hypocrisy and double standard?” You really did ask a question that has the most obvious response. This City Council is diaphanous in it’s intentions. They must have some scam going with the low-income housing as well, because everything here is geared toward HIGH income. Definitely a ‘green’ city. Dirty Money green! I’ve watched the transitions since 1952.